Administrative Procedures Act; requiring certain statutes and rules to be interpreted in a certain manner. Effective date.

SB 918 amends Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act to require courts to interpret state laws and agency rules themselves (de novo) rather than deferring to agency interpretations during judicial review. It also prohibits state agencies from seeking civil penalties in cases where defendants would normally be entitled to a jury trial under common law. The bill directly affects individuals, businesses, and organizations challenging agency actions, as well as state agencies themselves, by changing how court challenges are processed and limiting penalty options. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.